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The Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs Department will be stepping up its efforts to crack down on unauthorized activities on the sister islands on varying days each month from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Photo: Internet Source

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Businesses and other vendors doing illegal business on the sister islands of Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke and Anegada are to get in line or face the wrath of the relevant authorities.

The Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs Department will be stepping up its efforts to crack down on unauthorised activities on those islands, according to a Government spokeswoman, Bria Smith, in a Government Information Services (GIS) press release.

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on the sister islands will now benefit from scheduled trade inspections effective immediately, according to the release issued May 4, 2018.

The department has also said its trade inspectors will be mobilised to the sister islands on varying days each month from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

Comply or else- Christopher

Director of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs, Mrs Karia J. Christopher said she is “encouraging small business owners to cooperate with trade inspectors when the checks are being conducted."

The Director warned, "We also encourage them to ensure that the goods and services being offered are representative of a valid trade licence on display, as failure to do so, will result in immediate penalties for the business," she added.

There have been complaints about many businesses selling expired goods, high prices and even items that they are not authorised to sell.

The department’s inspector will be mobilised on Virgin Gorda every Thursday at the Virgin Gorda Administration Complex, Vanterpool Building; Jost Van Dyke every first Tuesday of every month at the Sister Islands District Office; and to Anegada every last Friday of every quarter at the Sister Islands’ District Office, according to the GIS statement.

No consumer protection

Currently, the Virgin Islands consumer is left vulnerable, as there are no consumer protection laws. However, the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) has been promising the Bill for seven years.

The Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs is responsible for facilitating the development and growth of the Virgin Islands (VI) businesses. This is done through the establishment and management of programmes and networks that provide information, education, training, finance and other assistance in order to foster sustained economic development in the VI, the statement concluded.

If they do want to cut down on unauthorized businesses they will do like the US and show up unannounced. Letting them know around the time you’ll be visiting is useless. Secondly it’s the BVI from the police go down talk to much so what the hell.....ish ain’t going happen. Pure talk

so they're after the little guy. someone selling coconuts or food at the side of the road. someone selling fish.
how 'bout the defective electronic devices some telecommunications companies have sold? of course that won't
be touched, just like the really sick banks allowed to function. how dirty does the bvi gov get?

Since our Territory has a billion dollars GDP, it is high time that Government, the Trade Department and the banks assist its citizens in giving the support needed to open and operate businesses in the proper way.

I would like to report a business selling lots of stuff in the BVI without a trade license. It is called Amazon. Surely the brave soldiers of the Anti Trade Department should close down this FOREIGN interloper immediately.

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